PR Firm Leaves Long-Time Office for More Space

AUSTIN-After 30 years across the street from the Texas Capitol, the GCI Read-Poland public relations firm is moving. The long-time adviser to Texas politicians and others of influence will move into its new quarters at 327 Congress Ave. in early December.

Rick Whiteley and Jack Tynes of Colliers International acted on behalf of GCI Read-Poland and Max Moss of Trammell Crow Co. represented the 327 Congress building owner, Old Posse LP. Walt Penn is Old Posse’s general partner.

GCI Read-Poland will take 6,700 sf for five years at 327 Congress, a 35,966-sf building at the corner of Congress Avenue and Fourth Street. Whiteley tells GlobeSt.com that the firm moved because it wanted to expand from its 5,000 sf and 1005 Congress didn’t have sufficient contiguous space. Tenants at the 93,228-sf building at Congress and 11th include offices of the capitol press corps and lobbyists.

Founded in 1951 by Julian Read, then a Fort Worth TV reporter, Read-Poland grew into an influential public relations firm with ties to former US Rep. Jim Wright of Fort Worth and former Texas Gov. John Connally. GCI, a public relations firm, bought Read-Poland in 2001.